Sermon, Epiphany +2 (C)

 We are in fun times right now with the scriptures. We are in the season after Epiphany – a festival of LIGHT!

What a great time to be hearing the word of God, reflecting on the love of God, and reflecting the light of God into the world!

Because the light shines! ALLELUIA!

The light shines upon us – all! And we can then magnify and refract it in the world.

The joy of Epiphany is that the light of God is here for us all.

And we are here for us all – as God wishes!

And this togetherness is part the flow and direction that God’s Holy Spirit is gifting us with today as we journey through the lectionary scriptures.

Let’s go chronologically, starting with Isaiah.

Isaiah’s a prophet with something to say. And say it he will! Because he knows that the gift of prophesy, that God has given him – is meant to be shared. “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent!” he declares.

And then he shares the good news of God. He speaks of the outpouring of love and of grace that is to come for the people of God.

And he emphasizes that it’s not coming to folks as individuals, but to the whole people of God:

“The Lord delights in you!” he says – not you as an individual and excluding you – but the community of faithful brings delight to God, when they share their gifts and extend grace.

He says “God shall rejoice over you!” – again – this is a celebration of the shared people of God – and how the extend beyond their own boundaries – to the other tribes and nations they encounter. Together, they are given the gifts they need to be the very best version of themselves – as the people of God – within their context.

Good news!

Then we have the psalmist sharing the light of the Lord through the sharing of love of God:

“With you is the fountain of life!” we hear – this is not an individual thing to cling to, but a fountain – a spring – a vibrant gushing of goodness and grace. Imagine trying to contain water coming through a fountain – you can’t! So too with God’s life-giving goodness and mercy: it cannot be contained; it can be accessed by anyone; and it is going to go forever.

This poetic prayer is highlighting and boosting the truth of God’s abundant and indiscriminate shining! “In your light, God, we see light.” – and the psalmist again speaks of the gifts that are meant to be for everyone, given to all, used by all, extended through all. Water, light – love – and faith: these are amazing gifts.

In the Gospel passage we have the well-known story of Jesus and the wedding; changing the water into wine. There is SO much goodness happening here, and so much to learn from it.

For we learn of Jesus’ compassion to make sure that the marriage couple are not embarrassed by having run out of libations.

We learn of Jesus’ kindness as he makes this wine even better than what was previously served, again to increase not his own glory, but to honour the reputation of the newlyweds.

We learn of how he kept the knowledge of this transformation to himself – for while this ability to change water to wine was then enjoyed by the entire community, his humble self did not want to brag about himself. The sharing of the gift was the purpose; not the broadcasting of the ability.

And we learn that this, often cited as the first recorded miracle, is not the first time that Jesus has done something amazing. For his mother knew – she’s the one that nudged him into sharing his gifts, after all. And Jesus knew that he could – and would – share his gifts – but he had wanted to keep it quiet for a time.

And yet. it’s recorded as a sign of his glory: a revelation. By sharing his gift, the disciples believed in him – and that affected the rest of their lives. They had seen a sign; they had been gifted with an opportunity to follow him (for following is what disciple means) – and they took it.

They – and we – learn of the ripple effect of increasing goodness as we hear of the sharing of gifts, for the benefit of the community.

Which of course brings us to the letter that Paul writes to the Corinthians. It’s helpful to put this small passage into a greater context… it’s part of a longer letter, after all, the summary of which can be found in the first chapter. Paul implores for the community to come together when he writes “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.”

Paul’s whole letter focuses on the call for Unity: To be as one. Not identical, not the same, but cohesive. United. Complementary. Sharing in the receiving of gifts, and sharing in the use of gifts. Knowing that what they have been given is part of the whole: it can be liberating to know they are not being called to be all things to all people. But to be united in the same mind and purpose; that is faith and ministry. The faith of the whole people of God; the ministry of the whole people of God.

Or, as the Beatles said in 1969, “Come together, right now, over me!”

Well, Paul directs to come together over God.

And this is where our passage today starts from. Because when someone starts a reading with “Now concerning spiritual gifts” – obviously there’s been some previous discussion or challenge within that community. But Paul addresses it, identifies that it needs some attention, and invites folks to realise that the gifts they are given come from God, and are meant to be shared with the community.

Spiritual gifts always come from the Spirit: the Holy Spirit of God.

And the joy of these gifts is the abundance of opportunity and creativity in how and when we use them.

And there is joy to know that we are ALL allotted spiritual gifts.

And the gifts are MANY: from administration to hospitality, prayer to music, pastoral care to artistic expression.

There is leadership, service, use of skills, teaching.

Some aid in discernment, some are born evangelists, some are proclaimers of the faith.

We have knowledge-keepers, liturgists, wisdom-sharers, healers, and writers.

We ARE gifted! In so many amazing ways!

And therefore we are joy-filled!

And we know that these gifts are activated! by the Holy Spirit – at the right time. So, having been equipped, we are encouraged and empowered to use these gifts to bring greater glory to God.

And that means that each and every one of us is meant to participate in the faith: so part of our journey forward, together, is to prayerfully consider how God is inviting us to use these gifts.

Because faith is not a spectator sport. Ministry is not just for someone else; it is the privilege and pleasure of all Christians to share the love of God.

And in doing that, we continue the good news. We continue the story of a vibrant faith. We continue the journey of ministry in THIS place and at THIS time. And we continue to come together: in prayer, in service, in active and living faith.

Our story continues: because we are part of God’s story.

So whatever our challenges now; let us remember that they are temporary.

And whatever possibilities God is placing into our hearts: let us consider that they are joy yet to come.

And whatever opportunities we may experience in the future, let us embrace them with faith; knowing that God has already gifted us with everything we need to love and serve others in the matchless and magnificent name of God.

Amen.